TORY MP Penny Mordaunt, ranked by a survey as Westminster’s sexiest female politician, is facing a backlash over her decision to take part in Tom Daley’s ITV diving competition Splash!

FLOP?: Tory MP Penny Mordaunt is hoping to make an impact on the ITV diving show Splash! [PA]

She will don her swimsuit for the celebrity show later this month and will appear alongside the likes of ex-Miss Great Britain model Danielle Lloyd, Eighties chart topper Paul Young and a contestant known for a role in The Only Way is Essex.

Ms Mordaunt, 40, represents Portsmouth North. She is a former magician’s assistant and was a Royal Navy reservist.

Although, she said she would be donating her earnings to charity, her decision has been mocked as a political belly flop by opponents.

Splash! sees celebrities jumping off a series of diving boards into the water after being trained by Olympic bronze medallist Tom Daley.

Ms Mordaunt said: "I have the elegance and drive of a paving slab, but my navy training has certainly given me the guts to take on the challenge head on.

TRAINER: Olympic diver Tom Daley will teach the wannabes how not to hurt themselves [ITV]

I have the elegance and drive of a paving slab

MP Penny Mordaunt

"Not only is Splash! a great personal development experience but it also seemed like the perfect way to fund raise for a charity I'm very passionate about - the Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth which is being renovated by the community. I will be donating my fee for the programme to assist with the renovations."

Also taking part in her heat on January 18 will be comedian Patrick Monahan and The Only Way Is Essex's Dan Osbourne.

Ms Mordaunt, who is parliamentary private secretary to Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, had just spoken in the Commons at Prime Minsiter’s Questions when the announcement was made.

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But John Ferrett, leader of Portsmouth Labour Party Group, who will be her political opponent in the next General Election reality contest in 2015, tweeted: “Truly astonishing. Whilst workers rallying to save 1000 jobs their MP has been training for celebrity gameshow!”

Portsmouth’s shipbuilding industry is currently under threat due to Government defence cuts.

Her inclusion on the show comes a little over a year after her party colleague Nadine Dorries caused a stir by appearing on another ITV contest I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!, which led to the party whip being temporarily withdrawn.

In November of last year Ms Dorries was forced to apologise for failing to properly register her media earnings, including the undisclosed sum she received for appearing on the show.

However, it is understood that party whips are more relaxed about Ms Mordaunt’s high diving antics.